Though the 2005 Tide pitching staff will be lacking somewhat in experience, this group of arms has the potential to be one of the deepest and strongest we have had in recent years. Fall practice provided an early indication of those who will be in contention for various roles on the staff, but heading into the preseason, a number of positions are still up for grabs. One of the few certainties, however, is the Friday night starter. National Freshman of the Year Wade LeBlanc returns after putting together what was undoubtedly one of the single most impressive seasons in Alabama history. Against San Jacinto in the fall tournament, LeBlanc pitched four perfect frames, throughout which the talented lefty was virtually unhittable. Clearly the premier starting pitcher in the SEC, his presence at the top of the rotation is a remarkable advantage. At the current rate, he’s as sure-fire a 2006 first round draft pick as there is in the game. The rest of the weekend starting duties have yet to be determined, and as we have seen in the past, a final decision may not come until the start of conference play (or later), after Coach Wells has been given adequate time to evaluate the various contenders. At present, Brent Carter is a leading candidate to fill one of the weekend slots. After a stellar sophomore campaign, Carter battled mechanical issues that hindered his progress in 2004. Nevertheless, the fact remains that Carter has already proven that he is a winner and a potential All-American. If he can return to the form he displayed as the staff ace in 2003, then we will surely have one of the top rotations in America. Of course, there is also the chance that he will be even better than he was two years ago. Sophomore Brandon Belcher underwent surgery to repair bone spurs in his elbow following a freshman season in which he worked his way into the weekend rotation. Belcher, a highly talented two-way player who will also contribute in the outfield, experienced the normal ups and downs of a freshman adjusting to the level of competition in the SEC, yet it was obvious that the coaches see a great deal of potential in him. As a starter in ‘04, Belcher often appeared to run out of gas after about five innings (or around 70 pitches or so). I am convinced, however, that this can be attributed primarily to the bone spurs and his having to pitch through pain more than anything else. He did not see action this past fall, but he’ll be 100% when practice begins. After a couple of early-season relief appearances, junior right-hander T.J. Large received a medical redshirt after a shoulder injury sidelined him for the duration of his debut season with the Tide. Pitching in full health for the first time in quite a while, Large demonstrated this fall why he suffered only one loss throughout his entire high school and junior college career. He has regained velocity on his fastball that he did not have last year, and his command of his breaking ball is back and better than ever. Looking to build on an impressive fall performance, Large is definitely in the mix for a weekend starter’s job. Another righty that will be given serious consideration as a starter in 6’7 Trey Shields, a hard-throwing JUCO transfer from Panama City. With his ‘bread-and-butter’ being consistent low-90’s heat, Shields can be an intimidating presence on the mound for opposing hitters. He will compete for a weekend slot, but even if he doesn’t happen to emerge in one of those starting roles, it’s a sure bet that he will see plenty of action on the hill in some capacity.
Despite the departure of Seth Johnson and Taylor Tankersley, it didn’t take Coach Wells long to find another closer. Freshman Josh Copeland appears to have the job nailed down after a dominant showing this fall. Copeland, a big right-hander, was one of the most highly-regarded prospects in his recruiting class, and certainly lived up to his reputation with his first impression this fall. He throws gas up to 95 and has a sharp-breaking curve that has been described as big league caliber, yet Copeland is probably better suited for closing ballgames rather than starting them due to the drop-off in velocity he experiences after about three innings of work (Of course, that assessment is based strictly on what was seen this fall, so considering the fact that he started in high school and starred, one might assume that he does indeed have the ability to eat up a substantial number of innings). As a power-hitting DH/1B, Copeland will likely get a chance to swing the bat some as a freshman, though his most important contribution will be in the eighth and ninth inning. One thing is certain – Copeland has a ton of legitimate talent, and the potential to be referred to as one of the top players of the Wells era when all is said and done. JUCO transfer Jordan Davis, a right-hander from Frisco, Texas, at first glance doesn’t exactly remind one of ‘stereotypical’ Texan righties such as Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens, or Kerry Wood. He might not be 6’4/220, but don’t be deceived – the guy can pitch. A polished all-around hurler, Davis throws all of his pitches for strikes, including a fastball that averages around 90 with good movement and a respectable breaking ball. Given his experience as a closer, the bullpen may be his full-time destination in ’05, where he could very well establish himself as the “go-to” arm in long and/or middle relief. On the other hand, the possibility does exist that he may get a look as a midweek starter. One of the more impressive performances from a freshman in the fall was that of local product David Robertson. Another righty with consistent 88-91 velocity, Robertson has a presence on the mound that says “closer.” It’s somewhat difficult to describe, but when you see the guy take the hill for the first time, you’ll understand exactly what I mean. Although Copeland looks to have the inside track on the closing duties for now, Robertson certainly has what it takes to develop into a very good stopper at this level, including the requisite “closer mentality” (think of Brian Reed). Expect to see Robertson get the ball fairly often as a true freshman. One of the returning relievers contributing to the depth and talent of this bullpen is junior Matt Downs, another hard-throwing RHP who will also provide depth at third base. During the fall, Downs endured a bit of a slump, as he ran into trouble as a result of what seemed to be leaving his fastball up in the zone too frequently. However, one shouldn’t read too much into what happens during the very limited time frame that is fall practice - everybody has slumps, and if you unfortunately happen to hit one during the fall, it can become unfairly magnified, as people are naturally inclined to put too much stock into what a player happens to do during this two-week span of the offseason. That said, I think Downs will have no trouble bouncing back when practice starts, and I look to see him return to role a similar to the one he held last year. RHP Casey Kebodeaux looked sharp on the hill this fall, and can be expected to log some innings as a true freshman. Presently, Kebodeaux has the look of a solid midweek starter, with weekend potential in the future. He may start out in the bullpen, but my guess is that he’ll ultimately assume a starting job. Redshirt freshman Doug Denson, a deceptive righty from Vestavia Hills, has one of the more unusual deliveries on the team, and can be pretty effective when he drops down and slings it up there from a sidearm angle. Denson is not exactly the junkballer extraordinaire that fellow Vestavia product Jeffrey Norris was, but he does combine above-average breaking and offspeed stuff with a fastball in the 85-88 range. Denson should be an option in the bullpen in ’05, and his role with the staff will become more clearly-defined as he continues to improve. Southpaw Kenneth Brown, a Chipola transfer, is another hurler whose status within the staff remains unclear. A starter at the JUCO level, Brown may be considered a leading candidate for the midweek starting job, or he may be relied upon as lone left-handed option in the bullpen (should LeBlanc, Carter, and Belcher all start). His best pitch could be his outstanding changeup, and he also relies on a decent curveball and a fastball that may not be overpowering, but has good movement. Brown had a tendency to be ‘hot and cold’ in the fall, looking sharp on some occasions while enduring difficult stretches of control problems during others. Nevertheless, the one thing about Brown that impressed me the most was his uncanny ability to work out of a jam. When he happened to be experiencing location problems, or when he found himself against a wall with runners on base, he demonstrated a resilience rarely seen among college or professional pitchers. I don’t see those games in which he struggled as long-term indications of a bigger problem, but I do believe that the mental toughness and confidence he showed in working out of those situations is an indication of an invaluable quality. Freshman Austin Hyatt, a tall, lanky right-hander, “looks like a pitcher.” Amazingly, Hyatt, a 23rd-round draft selection, became the first player to ever spurn Aubie John Schuerholz and the Braves to come to Alabama. That alone says a great deal about his character (hehe. Yes, my disdain for the whole Auburn-Schuerholz/Braves connection is probably a tired act, but to lend further support to my theory, look at what happened last week – he traded for Tim Hudson). Unfortunately, I only got to see Hyatt pitch once in the fall, so I can’t provide much of an evaluation (not that I can provide much of one for anyone else, either). On the one occasion when I did get to see him throw, he looked pretty impressive. Although I am unsure as to how much or in what capacity he will pitch as a freshman, Hyatt has the look of a guy who could turn out to be a very good one in this league. Tyler “Moose” Meigs may get his first opportunity on the hill since his brilliant freshman season at Young Harris College in 2002. Meigs underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the 2003 season, and in ’04, saw limited action with the Tide as a pinch hitter, as he continued to recover. He has regained a lot of zip on his fastball and the effectiveness of his breaking pitches is returning as well. Meigs will get a look in the pen this season, and he might get some at bats as a DH. Perhaps the biggest issue with Meigs whether he will be rusty after such an extended period of time between appearances in an official game, though his experience playing summer ball in Alaska should help ease the transition. David Laminack, a JUCO transfer and Gardendale native, is yet another right-hander with good control and a fastball that hovers around 90. Morrow Thomley, one of several two-way players, was prevented by injury from pitching in the fall, though it didn’t stop him from swinging the bat. I am uncertain as to the nature and extent of his injury or whether he will be an outfielder only next season. Veteran Allen Ponder is another one whose status for the upcoming year is uncertain. It has been reported that he will redshirt, though this has not been officially confirmed. If he’s healthy, that opens up numerous possibilities, considering his experience as both a starter and reliever.
It’s never easy to try and replace a first round talent like Taylor Tankersley, the experience and veteran leadership of Seth Johnson and Jeffrey Norris, or the reliability of Andrew Walker, but I believe that the 2005 staff has the potential to be even better than last year’s. There are a number of new faces, and a wealth of talent, albeit relatively unproven talent. The present staff has more “velocity” than any other in the Wells era, as pitchers in the 88-91 range seem to be the norm rather than the exception. Having one of the nation’s best in LeBlanc is a tremendous advantage. With Carter back on track, Belcher and Large healthy, and the emergence of the newcomers, ’05 could be the year things get turned around in a major way.
Despite the departure of Seth Johnson and Taylor Tankersley, it didn’t take Coach Wells long to find another closer. Freshman Josh Copeland appears to have the job nailed down after a dominant showing this fall. Copeland, a big right-hander, was one of the most highly-regarded prospects in his recruiting class, and certainly lived up to his reputation with his first impression this fall. He throws gas up to 95 and has a sharp-breaking curve that has been described as big league caliber, yet Copeland is probably better suited for closing ballgames rather than starting them due to the drop-off in velocity he experiences after about three innings of work (Of course, that assessment is based strictly on what was seen this fall, so considering the fact that he started in high school and starred, one might assume that he does indeed have the ability to eat up a substantial number of innings). As a power-hitting DH/1B, Copeland will likely get a chance to swing the bat some as a freshman, though his most important contribution will be in the eighth and ninth inning. One thing is certain – Copeland has a ton of legitimate talent, and the potential to be referred to as one of the top players of the Wells era when all is said and done. JUCO transfer Jordan Davis, a right-hander from Frisco, Texas, at first glance doesn’t exactly remind one of ‘stereotypical’ Texan righties such as Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens, or Kerry Wood. He might not be 6’4/220, but don’t be deceived – the guy can pitch. A polished all-around hurler, Davis throws all of his pitches for strikes, including a fastball that averages around 90 with good movement and a respectable breaking ball. Given his experience as a closer, the bullpen may be his full-time destination in ’05, where he could very well establish himself as the “go-to” arm in long and/or middle relief. On the other hand, the possibility does exist that he may get a look as a midweek starter. One of the more impressive performances from a freshman in the fall was that of local product David Robertson. Another righty with consistent 88-91 velocity, Robertson has a presence on the mound that says “closer.” It’s somewhat difficult to describe, but when you see the guy take the hill for the first time, you’ll understand exactly what I mean. Although Copeland looks to have the inside track on the closing duties for now, Robertson certainly has what it takes to develop into a very good stopper at this level, including the requisite “closer mentality” (think of Brian Reed). Expect to see Robertson get the ball fairly often as a true freshman. One of the returning relievers contributing to the depth and talent of this bullpen is junior Matt Downs, another hard-throwing RHP who will also provide depth at third base. During the fall, Downs endured a bit of a slump, as he ran into trouble as a result of what seemed to be leaving his fastball up in the zone too frequently. However, one shouldn’t read too much into what happens during the very limited time frame that is fall practice - everybody has slumps, and if you unfortunately happen to hit one during the fall, it can become unfairly magnified, as people are naturally inclined to put too much stock into what a player happens to do during this two-week span of the offseason. That said, I think Downs will have no trouble bouncing back when practice starts, and I look to see him return to role a similar to the one he held last year. RHP Casey Kebodeaux looked sharp on the hill this fall, and can be expected to log some innings as a true freshman. Presently, Kebodeaux has the look of a solid midweek starter, with weekend potential in the future. He may start out in the bullpen, but my guess is that he’ll ultimately assume a starting job. Redshirt freshman Doug Denson, a deceptive righty from Vestavia Hills, has one of the more unusual deliveries on the team, and can be pretty effective when he drops down and slings it up there from a sidearm angle. Denson is not exactly the junkballer extraordinaire that fellow Vestavia product Jeffrey Norris was, but he does combine above-average breaking and offspeed stuff with a fastball in the 85-88 range. Denson should be an option in the bullpen in ’05, and his role with the staff will become more clearly-defined as he continues to improve. Southpaw Kenneth Brown, a Chipola transfer, is another hurler whose status within the staff remains unclear. A starter at the JUCO level, Brown may be considered a leading candidate for the midweek starting job, or he may be relied upon as lone left-handed option in the bullpen (should LeBlanc, Carter, and Belcher all start). His best pitch could be his outstanding changeup, and he also relies on a decent curveball and a fastball that may not be overpowering, but has good movement. Brown had a tendency to be ‘hot and cold’ in the fall, looking sharp on some occasions while enduring difficult stretches of control problems during others. Nevertheless, the one thing about Brown that impressed me the most was his uncanny ability to work out of a jam. When he happened to be experiencing location problems, or when he found himself against a wall with runners on base, he demonstrated a resilience rarely seen among college or professional pitchers. I don’t see those games in which he struggled as long-term indications of a bigger problem, but I do believe that the mental toughness and confidence he showed in working out of those situations is an indication of an invaluable quality. Freshman Austin Hyatt, a tall, lanky right-hander, “looks like a pitcher.” Amazingly, Hyatt, a 23rd-round draft selection, became the first player to ever spurn Aubie John Schuerholz and the Braves to come to Alabama. That alone says a great deal about his character (hehe. Yes, my disdain for the whole Auburn-Schuerholz/Braves connection is probably a tired act, but to lend further support to my theory, look at what happened last week – he traded for Tim Hudson). Unfortunately, I only got to see Hyatt pitch once in the fall, so I can’t provide much of an evaluation (not that I can provide much of one for anyone else, either). On the one occasion when I did get to see him throw, he looked pretty impressive. Although I am unsure as to how much or in what capacity he will pitch as a freshman, Hyatt has the look of a guy who could turn out to be a very good one in this league. Tyler “Moose” Meigs may get his first opportunity on the hill since his brilliant freshman season at Young Harris College in 2002. Meigs underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the 2003 season, and in ’04, saw limited action with the Tide as a pinch hitter, as he continued to recover. He has regained a lot of zip on his fastball and the effectiveness of his breaking pitches is returning as well. Meigs will get a look in the pen this season, and he might get some at bats as a DH. Perhaps the biggest issue with Meigs whether he will be rusty after such an extended period of time between appearances in an official game, though his experience playing summer ball in Alaska should help ease the transition. David Laminack, a JUCO transfer and Gardendale native, is yet another right-hander with good control and a fastball that hovers around 90. Morrow Thomley, one of several two-way players, was prevented by injury from pitching in the fall, though it didn’t stop him from swinging the bat. I am uncertain as to the nature and extent of his injury or whether he will be an outfielder only next season. Veteran Allen Ponder is another one whose status for the upcoming year is uncertain. It has been reported that he will redshirt, though this has not been officially confirmed. If he’s healthy, that opens up numerous possibilities, considering his experience as both a starter and reliever.
It’s never easy to try and replace a first round talent like Taylor Tankersley, the experience and veteran leadership of Seth Johnson and Jeffrey Norris, or the reliability of Andrew Walker, but I believe that the 2005 staff has the potential to be even better than last year’s. There are a number of new faces, and a wealth of talent, albeit relatively unproven talent. The present staff has more “velocity” than any other in the Wells era, as pitchers in the 88-91 range seem to be the norm rather than the exception. Having one of the nation’s best in LeBlanc is a tremendous advantage. With Carter back on track, Belcher and Large healthy, and the emergence of the newcomers, ’05 could be the year things get turned around in a major way.
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